Quasi-static compressive behavior of the ex-situ aluminum-alloy foam-filled tubes under elevated temperature conditions

This manuscript focuses on the uniaxial compressive performance of thin walled steel tubes filled with closed-cell aluminum-alloy foam (ex-situ FFTs) at high temperature. For this purpose, the axial compressive behavior of empty tubes, closed-cell aluminum foam, and ex situ FFTs was evaluated under quasi-static loading conditions at 300 °C. The FFTs were compressed according to the concertina mode with the formation of two folds at the tested temperature. Also it was concluded that inserting closed-cell aluminum foam as a filler material inside the empty steel tube improved its energy absorption by 23% at 300 °C, as well as reducing crack initiation and propagation in the steel tube.